A team of Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Theatre Faculty and Wharton Center employees selects one musical to be in residence at MSU annually. This new musical is workshopped under the guidance of a Broadway-caliber director, professional actors in leading roles, the creative team of the chosen musical, and the leadership of MSU’s Department of Theatre and Wharton Center for Performing Arts. The program becomes a vivid learning experience for both college actors and backstage creatives.
Past Productions
Book. Music, Lyrics: Joey Contreras
Directed: Emily Maltby
Musical Direction: Dave Wendleberger
Guest Stage Management: Jennifer Lowe
Guest Actors: Stephanie Torns and Julian Diaz-Granados
Rocky Mountain High
Book & Lyrics: Kia Kofron and Cooper Kofron
Composers: Mark Hollman and Drew Gasparini
Director: Marc Acito
Music Direction: Dave Wendelberger
Guest Actor: Simon Pearl
In Emily's Words
Book & Music & Lyrics: Jessy Tomsko
Director: Susanna Wolk
Music Direction: Keiji Ishiguri
Guest Actor: Jonathan Christopher
Guest Stage Management: Rebecca MacCreery
Particle
Book & Music & Lyrics: Selda Sahin and Derek Gregor
Director & Co-Conceiver: Autum Reeser
Music Production: Chris Gilroy
Percussion: Mark Lietz
Guest Actor: Gabe Violett
Guest Stage Management: Jovon Schuck
Medusa
Book & Music & Lyrics: Rachel Dean and Wes Braver
Directed: Mayte Natalio
Supervising Director: Chloe Treat
Musical Direction: Ian Leroy
Guest Stage Management: Paige Conway
Guest Actors: Alexia Sielo & Julian Diaz-Granados
Dramaturgy: Shayla Gordon & Nora Alami
Dr. Fox and the Impossible Cure for Death
Book & Music: Benedict Braxton-Smith
Book & Lyrics: Megan Peterson
Directed: Timothy Koch
Musical Direction: Sinai Tabak
Guest Stage Management: Paige Conway
Guest Actors: Ben Roseberry and Susan O’dea
One Good Day
Book & Music: Liz Suggs
Book & Lyrics: Rona Siddiqui
Directed: Kate Wetherhead
Musical Direction: Brad Gardner
Guest Stage Management: Nan Luchini
Guest Actors: Jessica Fontana and Blake Whyte
We Foxes
Book, Lyrics & Music: Ryan Scott Oliver
Directed: Marshall Pailett
Dramaturgy: Matthew Schneider
Guest Stage Management: Paige Conway
Guest Actors: Katie Thompson & Wade McCollum
Temple
Book & Lyrics: Sylvia Peto
Music: Norman Durkee
Additional Music: Constantine Kitsopoulus
Direction: Gabriel Barre
Associate Direction: Jennifer Paulson-Lee
Guest Stage Management: Paige Conway
Guest Actors: Zillah Glory and Antonia Kitsopoulus
For Tonight
Book: Whitney Rhodes, Shenelle Williams, and Spencer Williams
Music & Lyrics: Shenelle Williams
Direction & Choreography: Joe Barros
Guest Stage Management: Paige Conway
Guest Actors: Hannah Elles and Adam Theodore Barry